Wrecked 'Otis' Maybach Auctioned Off For Only $60G

03/16/2012

It was estimated to be auctioned off for between $100,000-$150,000, but the wrecked 2004 Maybach 57 featured in Kanye West an Jay-Z’s music video “Otis” only fetched $60,000.

“JAY Z and Kanye West are towering figures in contemporary culture. They have greatly contributed to the artificial barriers between art, music, fashion and cinema to come down, ” said Simon de Pury, chairman of Phillips de Pury and Company where the car was auctioned. “Their video for 'Otis' became an instant classic. The Maybach they have transformed for it has the starring role."

The car was billed as contemporary art, rather than a road-going vehicle, explaining the high pre-sale estimate.

I must not understand art, because I cried a little when I watched the $340,000 luxury car getting wrecked and reassembled. Sure, the song won a Grammy, but really?! More than $100k for a non-drivable vehicle? I just can’t really see the value of it. Nevertheless it’s sad that the car didn’t raise any more money, the proceeds of the auction went to Save the Children, an organization that fights battles on behalf of children around the world.